Spineless Steelbacks Condemned To Fourth Defeat

Northamptonshire recorded their fourth straight defeat in this year’s competition with a 14-run loss to Worcestershire at Wantage Road. The home side got off to a good start, holding the visitors to 33 for two in the eighth over, but Phil Hughes and James Cameron added 101 in 68 balls for the third wicket as both men passed 50. They both fell to consecutive deliveries in Chaminda Vaas’ final over to give the former Sri Lankan international figures of two for 15 from his four overs, while Oli Stone took two for 26 in his first match of the campaign.

The Steelbacks lost Vaas and captain Alex Wakely inside the first six overs and had struggled to 60 for three by the twelfth. Cameron White led a late charge and finished unbeaten on 62 from 42 balls, but he was badly let down by the other batsmen. All of the Pears bowlers bowled tidily, with Moeen Ali achieving the unusual feat of being named man of the match for his bowling, despite not taking a wicket, as he conceded just 14 runs with his off-spin to help restrict Northamptonshire to 128 for five.

The only other match scheduled for today, that at Cardiff between Glamorgan and Gloucestershire, was abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain.

The Outlaws will be without both Samit Patel and Alex Hales, who are playing for England - ironically at Trent Bridge. Riki Wessels will move up to open alongside Michael Lumb, with Sam Elstone expected to take his place in the middle-order. Graeme White comes in for Patel, while Luke Fletcher and Sam Kelsall have also been included in the 13-man squad.Nottinghamshire squad: Michael Lumb, Riki Wessels, Adam Voges (captain), James Taylor, Chris Read (wicket-keeper), Scott Elstone, Steven Mullaney, Graeme White, Darren Pattinson, Harry Gurney, Andy Carter, Luke Fletcher, Sam Kelsall.

Other Fixture: Day One, Varsity Match, Oxford University v Cambridge University at Oxford

Weather Forecast: Tomorrow’s matches won’t be affected by the weather, with sunny skies expected throughout England and Wales. There will be patchy cloud, but temperatures will reach as highs as 20 degrees Celsius.